About This Program Transplant patients take medicines after the transplantation to prevent the immune system from attacking their new organ. These medicines are essential for your health after transplantation. However, these medicines also reduce your body’s ability to defend itself against illness caused by infection from bacteria, viruses or fungi.

The Transplant Infectious Disease Program at Mass General provides:

• Consultation for infectious disease management and prevention in transplant recipients and donors
• Pre- and posttransplant vaccination and individually designed strategies for preventing infections
• Travel advice in advance of or following travel by our patients

The integrated, multidisciplinary approach in the Transplant Infectious Disease Program involves all aspects of clinical care, basic, clinical and translational research, and education devoted to patients with an increased risk for infections.

Each member of the infectious disease team is committed to ensuring the best possible care for each patient with a compromised immune system as a result of organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplants.

The staff members of the Transplant Infectious Disease Program are all members of the Infectious Disease Division of Massachusetts General Hospital.

Conditions and Diseases

The care team at the Transplant Center encourages all patients and family members to learn more about conditions and diseases related to transplantation. The links below provide more information about conditions and diseases that might be treated within this program.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. CF causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that leads to progressive lung infection and difficulty gaining weight.

Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes may also be known by a variety of other names, including the following: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), juvenile diabetes, brittle diabetes, or sugar diabetes.

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Renal failure refers to temporary or permanent damage to the kidneys that results in loss of normal kidney function.

Heart Failure

Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious and sometimes serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a blood-borne microorganism transmitted by exposure to the hepatitis B virus through infectious body fluids.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (once called non-A, non-B hepatitis) is a liver disease caused by a recently identified blood-borne virus.

Pulmonary Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic lung condition in which alveoli, or air sacs, may be destroyed, narrowed, collapsed, stretched or over-inflated.

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a rare disease that results from inflammation.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes may also be known by a variety of other names, including the following: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), juvenile diabetes, brittle diabetes, and sugar diabetes.

Support and Wellness

Mass General is dedicated to ensuring that people understand their health care choices and have the necessary information to make decisions affecting their health and well being. The related support and wellness information listed below can play a role in treatment options.

A Patient Guide to Transplantation (PDF)

Read the Transplant Center's award-winning patient education guide, Transplantation: What Do I Need to Know?

¿Qué necesito saber? (PDF)

En español.

The following related clinical trials and research studies are currently seeking participants at Massachusetts General Hospital. Search for clinical trials and studies in another area of interest.

Transplant Center patients and donor families celebrate National Donate Life Month

The Transplant Center celebrated Donate Life Month by raising public awareness about the importance of organ donation and also extending thanks to the many organ donors and families who have given the generous gift of life to others.

Transplant Center recognized as a leader in patient education

Clinicians at the Transplant Center received a National Health Information Award for developing an outstanding patient education book and streamlining the patient evaluation process.

Transplant Center recognized for organ donation rate

The Department of Health and Human Services awarded the Transplant Center a Medal of Honor for its outstanding achievements in organ donation, including a donation rate of 75 percent or more eligible donors.

A Patient Guide to Transplantation (PDF)

Read the Transplant Center's award-winning patient education guide, Transplantation: What Do I Need to Know?

¿Qué necesito saber? (PDF)

En español.

Transplant Infectious Disease Program

Phone: 617-726-3812

Public Transportation Access: yes
Disabled Access: yes